Three Young Indian Squash Players Qualify for Asian Junior Championships

Indian Squash Talent Shines

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 7: Three promising young squash athletes from India—Anika Dubey of Pune, Akanksha Gupta from Thane, and Vasundhara Nangare from Kalamb—have successfully passed the SRFI Selection Round for the upcoming 33rd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships, set to take place in Panzhihua, China, in May 2026.

As per an announcement, these players were chosen through the Kanga Kids initiative by Chance2Sports.

Vasundhara Nangare, who comes from Kalamb in Ahmednagar district, had not participated in competitive events before but impressively secured third place in the Under-15 Asian Junior Trials at just 13 years old. She is now poised to represent India on a larger stage.

Fifteen-year-old Anika Dubey, hailing from Pune, stands out as one of India's top junior squash talents. She earned a bronze medal in the Under-17 category at the 32nd Asian Junior Individual Championships in 2025, marking her as the sole representative from Pune and among the few from Maharashtra to achieve this honor. Her participation in this year's selection round showcases her growing career, which began on public courts and has now reached the continental level.

Completing the trio is Akanksha Gupta from Thane, who has steadily advanced through the domestic squash circuit. Having previously represented India at Asian Junior Championships, she returns this year equipped with valuable experience and the poise of an athlete accustomed to high-pressure selections.

Pathway to the Asian Junior Championships: Successfully clearing the SRFI Selection Round is a notable accomplishment. Players qualify based on national ranking points accumulated from various domestic competitions, including the Sub-Junior and Junior Nationals, the Indian Junior Open, and Khelo India Youth Games. The selection matches, conducted at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai under the supervision of SRFI and SAI, involve direct competitions for a spot in the potential squad.